Written and produced by SF Team: Brian Kalman, Daniel Deiss, Edwin Watson

China has begun construction of the first Type 075 Class Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD). Construction most likely started in January or February of this year, with some satellite imagery and digital photos appearing online of at least one pre-fabricated hull cell. The Type 075 will be the largest amphibious warfare vessel in the Peoples’ Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), with similar displacement and dimensions as the U.S. Navy Wasp Class LHD. The PLA has also made it known that the force plans to expand the current PLA Marine Corps from 20,000 personnel to 100,000.

As China completes preparations for its new military base in Djibouti, located in the strategic Horn of Africa, it has also continued its substantial investment in developing the port of Gwadar, Pakistan. Not only will Gwadar become a key logistics hub as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the “One Belt, One Road” trade initiative, but will also be a key naval base in providing security for China’s maritime trade in the region. When these developments are viewed in conjunction with the decision to reduce the size of the army by 300,000 personnel, it is obvious that China has reassessed the strategic focus of the nation’s armed forces.

The PLAN’s intends to expand the current force structure of the PLA Marine Corps fivefold, from two brigades to ten brigades. At the same time, the PLAN will be increased in size and capabilities, with many new, large displacement warships of varying types added to the fleet. Of particular interest, are the addition of at least two Type 055 destroyers, an indigenously designed and built aircraft carrier of a new class, two more Type 071 LPDs, and the first Type 075 LHD.

China is rapidly gaining the ability to project power and naval presence at increasing distances from its shores. Not only is the PLAN expanding in tonnage, but its new vessels are considerably more capable. The PLAN will be striving to add and train an additional 25% more personnel over the next half a decade, in an effort to add the skilled crews, pilots, and support personnel that will facilitate such an ambitious expansion.

The Chinese military leadership previously decided to double the number of AMIDs starting in 2014. A 100% increase in the PLA AMIDs and a 500% increase in the PLAMC denotes a major strategic shift in the defense strategy of the Chinese state. With the successful growth of the Silk Road Economic Belt/Maritime Silk Road Initiative, it becomes readily apparent that China must focus on securing and defending this global economic highway. China has made a massive investment, in partnership with many nations, in ensuring the success of a massive system of economic arteries that will span half of the globe. Many of these logistics arteries will transit strategic international maritime territories. In light of these developments, a military shift in focus away from fighting a ground war in China, to a greater maritime presence and power projection capability are quite logical.

China began construction of a maritime support facility in Djibouti in 2016, to protect its interests in Africa, facilitate joint anti-piracy operations in the region, and to provide a naval base to support long range and extended deployments of PLAN assets to protect the shipping lanes transiting the Strait of Aden. In addition, China invested approximately $46 billion USD in developing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, including major investment in the infrastructure of the port of Gwadar. The governments of both nations desire the stationing of a flotilla of PLAN warships in the port, and possibly a rapid reaction force of PLA Marines. Gwadar is well positioned to not only protect China’s economic interests in Pakistan, but also to react to any crisis threatening the free passage of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. The forward positioning of naval forces will allow the PLAN to protect the vital crude oil and natural gas imports transiting the Suez Canal, the Gulf of Aden and into the Indian Ocean from routes west of the Horn of Africa. In light of the fact that 6% of natural gas imports and 34% of crude oil imports by sea to China transit this region, the desire to secure these waterways becomes readily apparent. Not only would the presence of PLAN warships and marines help to secure China’s vital interests in Pakistan and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor in particular, but would also afford the PLAN a base of operations close to the Strait of Hormuz. Approximately 51% of all Chinese crude oil imports by sea transit the strait, as well as 24% of seaborne natural gas imports. Any closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to a theoretical military conflict or an act of terrorism or piracy would have a huge impact on the Chinese economy.

Although the maritime trade routes transiting the Indian Ocean are of vital importance to keeping the manufacturing engine of China running uninterrupted, the South China Sea is of even greater importance. Not only does the region facilitate the passage of $5 trillion USD in global trade annually, but much of this trade is comprised of Chinese energy imports and exports of all categories. The geographic bottle neck of the Strait of Malacca, to the southwest of the South China Sea, affords the transit of 84% of all waterborne crude oil and 30% of natural gas imports to China. The closure of the strait, or a significant disruption of maritime traffic in the South China Sea, would have a devastating impact on the Chinese state. It is in the vital national interest of China to secure the region based on this fact alone. In addition, establishing a series of strategically located island outposts, covering the approaches to the South China Sea, affords China a greater ability to secure the entire region, establish Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) and defend the southern approaches to the Chinese mainland, while enforcing the nation’s claims to valuable energy and renewable resources in the region.

China continues to expand and reinforce its island holdings in both the Paracel and Spratly archipelagos. The massive construction on Mischief Reef, Fiery Cross Reef and Subi Reef will likely be completed later this year. These three islands, in conjunction with the surveillance stations, port facilities and helicopter bases located on a number of key smaller atolls, afford China the capability to project power and presence in the region at a level that no other regional or global power can match.

As China moves forward in expanding the PLAMC and the amphibious divisions of the PLA, it has maintained a swift schedule in shipbuilding which aims to provide a balanced and flexible amphibious sealift capability. China intends to tailor a modern and sizable amphibious warfare fleet that is capable of defending the growing maritime interests of the nation, and which can provide a significant power projection capability that can be employed across the full breadth of the Maritime Silk Road.

The first two classes of amphibious vessels that were seen as essential to design, construct and supply to the PLAN were the Type 072A class Landing Ship Tank (LST) and the Type 071 class Landing Platform Dock (LPD). There are a total of six Type 071 LPDs planned, with four currently in service and the fifth vessel reaching completion this year.

Plans to build a large LHD began in 2012, with a number of different designs contemplated. The class was known in intervening years as the Type 075 or Type 081. The Type 075 design was finalized and plans were made to begin construction in 2016. Although many analysts believe that the PLAN intends to build two such vessels, there will most likely be a need for one or two additional vessels of this class to meet the growing maritime security and power projection requirements of the nation. All signs point to the PLAN’s intentions of establishing two to three Amphibious Ready Groups (ARGs), as they have slowly and methodically developed a modern amphibious warfare skillset over the past two decades. They have taken a similar approach to establishing a modern carrier-based naval aviation arm.

From what is known, the Type 075 will displace 40,000 tons, have an LOA of 250 meters, and a beam of 30 meter. The Type 075 will be fitted with a large well deck, allowing for amphibious operations by LCACs, AAVs, and conventional landing craft. Each LHD could theoretically carry approximately 1,500 to 2,000 marines, a full complement of MBTs and AAVs (approximately 25-40 armored vehicles), 60 to 80 light vehicles, and ample cargo stowage space. The helicopter compliment will most likely consist of approximately 20 Z-8 transport helicopters, two Z-18F ASW helicopters, one or two Ka-31 AEW helicopters, four Z-9 utility helicopters, and possibly 6 to 8 naval versions of the Z-10 attack helicopter. With no VSTOL fixed wing attack aircraft in service, the PLAN would most likely opt for using a rotary wing attack element for the LHDs.

China has been slowly and methodically building the foundations of economic and military security and is offering those nations that cooperate as part of the New Silk Road/Maritime Silk Road a seat at the table. In order to create a mutually beneficial trade and transportation network, one that may soon supersede or compete against others, China must secure its vital interests, backed up by military force, and build a viable and sustainable naval presence in key maritime regions.

China has clearly signaled that its defense strategy is changing. The Chinese leadership feels that the sovereignty of mainland China is secure and is shifting focus to securing the vital maritime trade lifeline that not only ensures the security of the nation, but will allow China to increase its economic prosperity and trade partnerships with a multitude of nations.

Whether the United States decides to stand in the way of China’s growth or chooses to participate more constructively in a mutually beneficial relationship is yet to be determined. Without a doubt, China has set its course and will not deviate from this course unless some overwhelming force is brought to bear.

The Essential Saker II: Civilizational Choices and Geopolitics / The Russian challenge to the hegemony of the AngloZionist Empire

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“It is an article of faith in the West that each missile test by North Korea is a “threat” or “provocation.”
But is it true?
Over the last several months, India tested its Agni-2 medium-range and Agni-3 intermediate-range ballistic missiles, as well as an Agni-5 ICBM, producing only yawns of indifference. Pakistan fired an Ababeel medium-range ballistic missile, capable of delivering multiple warheads, while China and Russia both tested ICBMs.
The United States, as it was roundly condemning North Korea for its tests, launched Minuteman 3 and Trident missiles.
None of these tests by nuclear powers were deemed provocative.
Nor was note taken of the hypocrisy of the Trump administration in expressing outrage over North Korea doing what it was doing.

Objectively speaking, there is no difference between North Korea’s missile tests and the others, although it should be pointed out that the U.S. arsenal of nearly 7,000 nuclear warheads dwarfs that of North Korea.

As the North Korean foreign ministry observed,
“Not a single article or provision in the UN Charter and other international laws stipulates that nuclear test or ballistic rocket launch poses a threat to international peace and security.”

The political and economic might of the United States gave it the means to prod other members of the UN Security Council to agree to its demand to impose sanctions on North Korea. As a result, North Korea is the only nation singled out by UN sanctions that forbid it from testing the same types of missiles as other countries are free to do.

There is no legal basis for this double standard, which is primarily a product of U.S. influence.”

Well the US’s “diplomatic” options are pretty much at an end. I figure it’s either the US backs off and shows everyone in the world that the emperor has no clothes or they have to punitively bomb DPRK to keep everyone in line.

If its the latter China will be glad they have those extra marines when they are forced to overrun the peninsula.

Yeah – I wasn’t being sarcastic about you posting this but rather saying “So NK fired carried out a missile test, something other countries do routinely to show what they are capable of. yet not a word of criticism from anyone when everybody else does it”
And these countries don’t wake up daily to the sound of nuclear bombers flying over them practising invasion and forcing the North Koreans to leave the fields and factories and rush to their posts.

Coming right after, not just the UNSC vote for more sanctions but worse, the United States contemptuous and immediate rejection of the Russia/China double freeze proposal which they arrogantly dismissed with one word “insulting” and then Trump saying ominously the very next day that the sanctions are nothing compared with “what’s to come ” NK has no choice now but to try and ensure it has defensive measures and by test firing a rocket showing the world “You will regret it if you attack us”

Can’t see the US attacking though. They are doing great business selling billions in unnecessary but expensive weapons to the puppets in Japan and SK.

Also can’t help but sadly reflect that Russia/China have supported NATO warmongering before when they voted to support the “No fly resolution” for Libya in 2011.
This gave NATO the opportunity to begin a barbaric mass bombing campaign against Libya which as we know totally destroyed the richest country in Africa and killed hundreds of thousands of people and of course provided a base for ISIS who were then transported to Syria to star the war there.

“South Korean President Moon Jae-in warned the North on Friday that its missile tests made any dialogue impossible and warned Pyongyang of an attack that would make it unable to recover, local media said.”

What are the rok quislings going to do? Blitz DPRK with air drops of defective samsung products? Looks like moon dropped his mask and is just another trump who used a reasonable antiwar platform to get elected and impliment the very unreasonable zionazi ueber alles war strategy.

I think they all (Kim, Moon, Putin, Xi) are TROLLING Trump to attack, which
he WON’T because he CAN’T. They all are calling on Trumps bluff.

Now bear with me:
Xi already said that China will intervene if Nord Korea is attacked. That means,
the US would have to fight China. Considering also that he US military is overstretched
and exhausted of wars, this ALONE is reason enough for the US to back off.

But it gets better, lets say Mattis ‘the dog’ got rabis from McInsane and they do attack NK.
US bases in the West Pacific all are prime targets. South Korea/Seoul is destroyed.
To finance the war South Korea has to SELL OFF their US TREASURY holdings.
This f@cks up the US FEDs game, because South Korea is still a vital vassal that is
holding on to their US Treasuries, while China, Russia and other countries are dumping them.
If South Korea was to start dumping them as well, the US Treasuries interest rates would rise
which would increase inflation in the US multi-fold. And the US economy couldn’t handle that,
it would explode.

So there you go, US is bluffing, Trump can’t do sh!t and everybody knows it.

RATM, I agree completely. I think you’ve nailed it perfectly. Whether South Korea is acting as a proxy of the US or secretly towards its own future is a fine point that doesn’t quite matter in this play.

We’ve seen for some time now that the US sends out the most smoke and bluster when it’s actually retreating on the ground in a theater. Syria alone is full of examples. Sometimes there’s a massacre of civilians to complement the retreat.

All the US has left to use in today’s world is bluster and theatrics. It has one remaining weapon in its dominance of the financial system, and this is where much of the slow flanking movement is occurring in the multi-polar word – Venezuela’s rejection of the US Dollar being merely the latest case in point.

It almost seems as if the two Koreas realize that theatrics are the only game happening, since the realpolitik of the ground is clear to everyone, and is exactly as you point out.

With bluster as the only game in town, the two Koreas seem to be diving in with relish. And astonishingly, where South Korea would do best to keep its mouth shut and retain face as the US inevitably retreats, it joins in with the bluster and the forthcoming loss of face.

Does it do this to take some loss of face away from the US, or to accentuate the humiliation of the US? I don’t know.

Perhaps it is the case that both Koreas have been Koreans together for vastly longer than they have been separated by colonial occupation. And one day, the matter of reunification must come to the fore.

RATM:
Hi. I agree with your analysis. I believe that China specifically is using the situation between North Korea and the US to demonstrate to its neighbors that the US is a Paper Tiger, and that the US cannot and will not come to their rescue of they come into conflict with China.
Japan, South Korea, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, India, and the Philippines will have observed and noted this new reality by now.
Time to come to friendly terms with China and the SCO.

This is the most critical war we(US) are losing badly. We don’t produce anything and for decades we could count on other nations to support us with the usurious reserve dollar system. That has been the most common reason for our military invasions, the protection racket of the US dollar.

Question:“Whether the United States decides to stand in the way of China’s growth or chooses to participate more constructively in a mutually beneficial relationship is yet to be determined.”

Answer: With the US, there is no “mutually beneficial relationship” to speak of. The Zionazis insist ever more angrily the world deliver goods and services in exchange for nothing (well, maybe with the exception of faggot parades and colour revolutions), or else.

“Without a doubt, China has set its course and will not deviate from this course unless some overwhelming force is brought to bear.”

The Chinese are aware of the overwhelming force by which they were struck by Western and Japanese imperialism; the former using opium addiction, and the latter using sheer, brutal force. So these threats are well known and prepared for. What could possibly be on the table here is a (highly unlikely) putsch in Russia reversing all the gains made during the Putin years. Absent that, Japan and the West will have to try keep their parasitic international relations in place at the expense of ever more hostile subjects globally.

There is always a latency between reality and perception, thus the prudent person takes a long careful look before taking any action. Sometimes the prudent say and do nothing at all.

But there is also delusion. Adding intemperance to delusions and latency and pressing on that with domestic political and economic urgencies, well, everyone knew in 1940 that the US could smash the nazis.

The nazis knew this too. So why did they attack? Because they had to due to domestic forces they could control no other way.

War can happen. Evidently Mr Chin knows this…it may not make sense, seldom does, it happens.

Why Marines? Indeed! Now then what’s special about marines? Chinese marines, German marines, Murkin marines…what is it that marines do?

That’s what Mr China expects.

Moreover, there is real objective possibility that a similar situation (to that of 3rd Reich) may exist at any time – like now, for example. The mere fact that in the future one expects to, for example, age and die (lose) does not dictate that suicide is the best option, quite the opposite, in fact. Thus Mr T and his minders may continue along their path until they arrive at the logical end…war.

This is sometimes termed a “Hail Mary Pass” – kick the can and hope – anything but surrender…

It is easy to understand…usually fails.

Nice boats the Chinese are building to carry those marines…which one will host the surrender?

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